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The Lies We Conjure
Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games with magic in this standalone supernatural thriller by Sarah Henning: thirteen witches, a locked-room murder, and two non-magical sisters trapped in a deadly game of Clue
Ruby and her sister, Wren, are normal, middle-class Colorado high school students working a summer job at the local Renaissance Fest to supplement their meager college savings.
So when an eccentric old lady asks them to impersonate her long-absent grandchildren at a fancy dinner party at the jaw-dropping rate of two grand―each―for a single night… Wren insists it’s a no-brainer. Make some cash, have some fun, do a good deed.
But less than an hour into the evening at the mysterious Hegemony Manor, Ruby is sure she must have lost her mind to have agreed to this.
Ruby and her sister, Wren, are normal, middle-class Colorado high school students working a summer job at the local Renaissance Fest to supplement their meager college savings.
So when an eccentric old lady asks them to impersonate her long-absent grandchildren at a fancy dinner party at the jaw-dropping rate of two grand―each―for a single night… Wren insists it’s a no-brainer. Make some cash, have some fun, do a good deed.
But less than an hour into the evening at the mysterious Hegemony Manor, Ruby is sure she must have lost her mind to have agreed to this.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published September 17, 2024
127 people are currently reading
14905 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Henning
23 books1,644 followersSarah Henning is a recovering journalist who has worked for the Palm Beach Post, Kansas City Star and Associated Press, among others. While in South Florida, Sarah lived and worked through five hurricanes, which gave her an extreme respect for the ocean. When not writing, she runs ultramarathons, hits the playground with her two kids and hangs out with her husband Justin, who doubles as her long-suffering IT department. Sarah lives in Lawrence, Kansas, which, despite being extremely far from the beach, happens to be pretty cool.
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March 1, 2024one day I'll stop letting a knives out comp rule me but... not today
November 1, 2024
This was GREAT!! It is indeed like Knives Out but with magic and a really fun book. The Lies We Conjure follows sisters who are hired to pose as this woman's granddaughters during dinner at a mysterious estate. But then, their host is murdered and they end up trapped there by magic until the murder can be solved. Also, everyone has magic and is vying for power in the vacuum left behind by her death. They all think the sisters have death magic, but they are secretly outsiders...
Truly clever and delightful, with some twists I didn't see coming. I won't say too much more because of spoilers, but the choice of POV characters is effective and I had a blast reading this. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Truly clever and delightful, with some twists I didn't see coming. I won't say too much more because of spoilers, but the choice of POV characters is effective and I had a blast reading this. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
September 12, 2025
I rarely read YA, but this book managed to hold my attention long enough for me to see it through to the end. At its core, it’s still a locked-door mystery—despite the obvious suspect escaping early in the novel. The characters are literally trapped in a sprawling, upscale villa until a murder is solved, and there’s more than one murder.
The families search for magical artefacts necessary to break the spell that keeps them trapped. At the same time, these artefacts are linked to each family’s unique source of power, sparking a struggle over who has the right to retain them. Squabbling and finger-pointing ensue, with new alliances forming even as old ones fracture along with the thin veneer of civility. It’s all very typical of families where some members can set aside grief in the pursuit of ambition, convinced that power or inheritance, belongs to them by birthright or some other claim. It’s almost like: there is no love lost. Sadly, it often takes a funeral for certain people to reveal their true nature and motivations IRL as well; death isn’t the only thing making families smaller.
The novel weaves in just enough magic, along with rich layers of family history and magical lore, to keep the mystery alive. That the girls manage to maintain their farce for so long, despite lacking basic magical abilities and knowledge while purportedly belonging to a magical family, becomes increasingly uneasy to accept as the plot progresses. I suppose, it would not be as fun, otherwise.
“Memory is a wild beast…hard to chase, hard to tame and never what you’re expecting when you pin it down. As long as there’re some distance to it, a memory is exactly what a good suggestion says it is.”
The families search for magical artefacts necessary to break the spell that keeps them trapped. At the same time, these artefacts are linked to each family’s unique source of power, sparking a struggle over who has the right to retain them. Squabbling and finger-pointing ensue, with new alliances forming even as old ones fracture along with the thin veneer of civility. It’s all very typical of families where some members can set aside grief in the pursuit of ambition, convinced that power or inheritance, belongs to them by birthright or some other claim. It’s almost like: there is no love lost. Sadly, it often takes a funeral for certain people to reveal their true nature and motivations IRL as well; death isn’t the only thing making families smaller.
The novel weaves in just enough magic, along with rich layers of family history and magical lore, to keep the mystery alive. That the girls manage to maintain their farce for so long, despite lacking basic magical abilities and knowledge while purportedly belonging to a magical family, becomes increasingly uneasy to accept as the plot progresses. I suppose, it would not be as fun, otherwise.
“Memory is a wild beast…hard to chase, hard to tame and never what you’re expecting when you pin it down. As long as there’re some distance to it, a memory is exactly what a good suggestion says it is.”
July 2, 2024
2.5 stars
This book began super interesting however, throughout the book, the pace was slow, and stayed that way long. Also I found the characters a little lackluster. I do hope this book finds readers who will adore it, unfortunately I wasn't one of them.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book began super interesting however, throughout the book, the pace was slow, and stayed that way long. Also I found the characters a little lackluster. I do hope this book finds readers who will adore it, unfortunately I wasn't one of them.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2024
Ruby and Wren are sisters that are pulled into a magical dilemma they never expected. It all begins when they're paid to impersonate the Blackgate sisters at a dinner party. What could go wrong?
This murder mystery was definitely different with the addition of witches, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Add on the sisters' secret (they're imposters), and I was on my toes! For fans of Knives Out and The Inheritance Games.
This murder mystery was definitely different with the addition of witches, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Add on the sisters' secret (they're imposters), and I was on my toes! For fans of Knives Out and The Inheritance Games.
March 7, 2024
Okay, so this was generally an entertaining read, with a reasonably active and engaging pair of protagonists, but there were a number of things that bothered me throughout.
The thing that drew me to request this as an ARC was the opening setup that the girls worked at the Colorado Renaissance Faire. Unfortunately, *literally nothing* about that, or the Colorado setting in general wound up having any importance to the story.
I was also dissatisfied with the comparison to Knives Out. A really crucial part of that film was digging into issues of race and class, not just white people trying to kill each other, and none of that was present here for me.
Tying both of those points together: Colorado has been home to Indigenous people since time immemorial, and is way more diverse than this book even barely glances at. I don't love that the incredibly powerful magic system appears solely tied to descendants of European Americans who were at Salem. The (extremely brief) mention of zombies coming from a tradition of magic tied to the powerful people in this book is especially frustrating in this regard, since zombies have a specific real-world cultural origin that isn't European!!
The thing that drew me to request this as an ARC was the opening setup that the girls worked at the Colorado Renaissance Faire. Unfortunately, *literally nothing* about that, or the Colorado setting in general wound up having any importance to the story.
I was also dissatisfied with the comparison to Knives Out. A really crucial part of that film was digging into issues of race and class, not just white people trying to kill each other, and none of that was present here for me.
Tying both of those points together: Colorado has been home to Indigenous people since time immemorial, and is way more diverse than this book even barely glances at. I don't love that the incredibly powerful magic system appears solely tied to descendants of European Americans who were at Salem. The (extremely brief) mention of zombies coming from a tradition of magic tied to the powerful people in this book is especially frustrating in this regard, since zombies have a specific real-world cultural origin that isn't European!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2025
love a puzzle and some magical trials
October 24, 2024
A captivating premise and a strong start, but the pacing and story puttered out. I really wanted to like this more.
Read
April 30, 2025Very fun for fans of Knives Out and Jenn Barnes' The Inheritance Games. To ratchet the tension up even more: sisters Wren and Ruby are only hired for the evening to impersonate two of the potential heirs - and had no idea the family were witches!
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*
October 18, 2024
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Thirteen witches, a locked-room murder, and two non-magical sisters trapped in a deadly game of Clue
Thirteen witches, a locked-room murder, and two non-magical sisters trapped in a deadly game of Clue
December 31, 2024
This was a lot of fun!
November 20, 2025
Wie man als Fake-Hexe einen magischen Wettkampf überlebt
Die Schwestern Ruby und Wren werden von Marysas Blackgate eingestellt, um bei einem Dinner im berühmten Herrenhaus Hegemony Manor deren Enkeltöchter zu spielen. Doch als sich während des Dinners die Ereignisse überschlagen, finden die Schwestern heraus, dass alle anderen Gäste Hexen sind – und sie selbst sind mitten in einem magischen Wettkampf gelandet.
Ruby ist die Vernünftigere der beiden Schwestern, während Wren ein bisschen abenteuerlustiger ist und das Jobangebot mit weniger Bedenken annimmt. Ich hätte erwartet, dass beide Schwestern eine eigene Perspektive haben, aber nur Ruby hat eine und man merkt gut, wie sie sich für ihre Schwester verantwortlich fühlt und versucht, die besten Entscheidungen unter den gegebenen Umständen zu treffen.
Es gibt aber auch eine zweite Perspektive: Auden, ein wichtiger Elementarmagier und Rubys Love Interest. Durch ihn erfährt man mehr über die Geschichten der Charaktere und über die Magie. Und auch, wie der Blick der anderen auf die Blackgate-Schwestern ist, als die sich Ruby und Wren ausgeben. Die Liebesgeschichte fand ich nicht so spannend, auch weil Auden sehr viel darüber nachdenkt, wie Ruby sich eigentlich verhalten würde, wäre sie die Person, die sie behauptet zu sein.
Bei der Handlung bin ich etwas gespalten, denn die Idee mit den zwei Menschen unter Hexen fand ich schon sehr vielversprechend, aber die Rätsel und die magischen Regeln konnten mich nicht ganz überzeugen. Ruby und Wren haben auch eine halbwegs gute Tarnung, aber da mischen sich auch unbedachte Aktionen mit wenigen Konsequenzen, und das hat mir einfach das Gefühl gegeben, die anderen Charaktere wären nicht so schlau und bedrohlich, wie die Geschichte sie eigentlich darstellen möchte.
Die Schwestern Ruby und Wren werden von Marysas Blackgate eingestellt, um bei einem Dinner im berühmten Herrenhaus Hegemony Manor deren Enkeltöchter zu spielen. Doch als sich während des Dinners die Ereignisse überschlagen, finden die Schwestern heraus, dass alle anderen Gäste Hexen sind – und sie selbst sind mitten in einem magischen Wettkampf gelandet.
Ruby ist die Vernünftigere der beiden Schwestern, während Wren ein bisschen abenteuerlustiger ist und das Jobangebot mit weniger Bedenken annimmt. Ich hätte erwartet, dass beide Schwestern eine eigene Perspektive haben, aber nur Ruby hat eine und man merkt gut, wie sie sich für ihre Schwester verantwortlich fühlt und versucht, die besten Entscheidungen unter den gegebenen Umständen zu treffen.
Es gibt aber auch eine zweite Perspektive: Auden, ein wichtiger Elementarmagier und Rubys Love Interest. Durch ihn erfährt man mehr über die Geschichten der Charaktere und über die Magie. Und auch, wie der Blick der anderen auf die Blackgate-Schwestern ist, als die sich Ruby und Wren ausgeben. Die Liebesgeschichte fand ich nicht so spannend, auch weil Auden sehr viel darüber nachdenkt, wie Ruby sich eigentlich verhalten würde, wäre sie die Person, die sie behauptet zu sein.
Bei der Handlung bin ich etwas gespalten, denn die Idee mit den zwei Menschen unter Hexen fand ich schon sehr vielversprechend, aber die Rätsel und die magischen Regeln konnten mich nicht ganz überzeugen. Ruby und Wren haben auch eine halbwegs gute Tarnung, aber da mischen sich auch unbedachte Aktionen mit wenigen Konsequenzen, und das hat mir einfach das Gefühl gegeben, die anderen Charaktere wären nicht so schlau und bedrohlich, wie die Geschichte sie eigentlich darstellen möchte.
September 2, 2024
Thank you to Tor Teen & NetGalley for the chance to read this early.
The Lies We Conjure is a YA mystery/thriller reminiscent of The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes but done in a locked room mystery style with the added element of an escape room twist plus witches. The story is told in the POVs of Ruby, a clueless outsider to the Four Lines families, and Auden, who belongs to the Hegemony family. I love how Ruby provides the perspective of the reader who is just learning of the magical families but also flicks over to Auden for inside peeks into the witchy world and a full understanding of the "game's" stakes. Wren balances Ruby's serious side, but the sisters fall into the stereotypical dynamic of responsible older sister and fun, carefree younger sister; I find that dynamic over-played in YA. Exposition in the beginning explaining the magic and how the families and relics work is needed but felt info-dumpy. The cousins of Auden, Winter, and Evander play off each other well without one feeling more "in charge" than the others due to responsibilities and knowledge shared. With every twist I had suspicions of what/who could be behind the murder and strange occurrences, but ultimate answers remained surprising. The concept of a "soul's truth" fit into the world but felt like a convenient plot device at times. I like how the ending leaves wonder open about how everyone left standing moves forward.
The Lies We Conjure is a YA mystery/thriller reminiscent of The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes but done in a locked room mystery style with the added element of an escape room twist plus witches. The story is told in the POVs of Ruby, a clueless outsider to the Four Lines families, and Auden, who belongs to the Hegemony family. I love how Ruby provides the perspective of the reader who is just learning of the magical families but also flicks over to Auden for inside peeks into the witchy world and a full understanding of the "game's" stakes. Wren balances Ruby's serious side, but the sisters fall into the stereotypical dynamic of responsible older sister and fun, carefree younger sister; I find that dynamic over-played in YA. Exposition in the beginning explaining the magic and how the families and relics work is needed but felt info-dumpy. The cousins of Auden, Winter, and Evander play off each other well without one feeling more "in charge" than the others due to responsibilities and knowledge shared. With every twist I had suspicions of what/who could be behind the murder and strange occurrences, but ultimate answers remained surprising. The concept of a "soul's truth" fit into the world but felt like a convenient plot device at times. I like how the ending leaves wonder open about how everyone left standing moves forward.
July 20, 2024
2.5/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t it for me. I love a good murder mystery and treasure hunt, which this book had. But ultimately, neither of those aspects of the book surprised me.
None of the reveals in this book had me shocked, I predicted most of them, honestly. It almost would have been more interesting if Ruby and Wren actually WERE Lavinia and Kaysa with their memories altered. And the murderer? I knew it right away. There was really never any other option simply because so many of the characters were written to be liked, and those we didn’t like had been killed.
The murderer, while having understandable motives, was so one-dimensional and ultimately cringey.
Lastly, in terms of character development, I really feel like there wasn’t any for any of the characters.
Very much just a letdown of a book for me, sadly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t it for me. I love a good murder mystery and treasure hunt, which this book had. But ultimately, neither of those aspects of the book surprised me.
None of the reveals in this book had me shocked, I predicted most of them, honestly. It almost would have been more interesting if Ruby and Wren actually WERE Lavinia and Kaysa with their memories altered. And the murderer? I knew it right away. There was really never any other option simply because so many of the characters were written to be liked, and those we didn’t like had been killed.
The murderer, while having understandable motives, was so one-dimensional and ultimately cringey.
Lastly, in terms of character development, I really feel like there wasn’t any for any of the characters.
Very much just a letdown of a book for me, sadly.
October 14, 2024
Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games in this locked room murder mystery but with WITCHES! The Lies we Conjure was perfect blend of mystery and magic for the fall season, especially if you’re looking for a fall book that isn’t spooky or a thriller!
It surely kept me on my toes for most of the book and has my curiosity piqued the entire time. I was itching to solve the murder and even though I knew who it was, I just couldn’t figure out the HOW! It was driving me crazy tbh lol. I just wish the pacing didn’t feel a little off for me. It was fun yet felt like it dragged at times. I really couldn’t wait to get to the end haha. Speaking of the end, I actually love how the story was all wrapped up. It was wholesome and didn’t leave me wanting for more like so many other endings leave me feeling.
Overall, a fun book for any time of the year but more specifically the fall season!
It surely kept me on my toes for most of the book and has my curiosity piqued the entire time. I was itching to solve the murder and even though I knew who it was, I just couldn’t figure out the HOW! It was driving me crazy tbh lol. I just wish the pacing didn’t feel a little off for me. It was fun yet felt like it dragged at times. I really couldn’t wait to get to the end haha. Speaking of the end, I actually love how the story was all wrapped up. It was wholesome and didn’t leave me wanting for more like so many other endings leave me feeling.
Overall, a fun book for any time of the year but more specifically the fall season!
May 2, 2025
Really a 3.5, but I’m leaning more towards 4 stars because I just genuinely enjoyed reading this book. It kept me engaged the whole way through and honestly, the budding romances had their cute moments. Wren, I love you, never change.
September 7, 2024
3.5 / 5
This book had an intriguing premise with a murder mystery dinner at a creepy manor and witches—what more could I ask for? I loved the setup in the first half, especially the dinner scene—it felt atmospheric and magical, and I was really enjoying the vibes.
However, the second half didn’t hold my interest as much. The pacing slowed down drastically, and what felt like several days in the plot actually only spanned a few hours. I also didn’t get the Knives Out vibes I was hoping for. While the magic and family dynamics were interesting, the info dumping made it a bit hard to follow at times.
Still, the story wrapped up nicely, and I’d be open to reading more from this author in the future.
This book had an intriguing premise with a murder mystery dinner at a creepy manor and witches—what more could I ask for? I loved the setup in the first half, especially the dinner scene—it felt atmospheric and magical, and I was really enjoying the vibes.
However, the second half didn’t hold my interest as much. The pacing slowed down drastically, and what felt like several days in the plot actually only spanned a few hours. I also didn’t get the Knives Out vibes I was hoping for. While the magic and family dynamics were interesting, the info dumping made it a bit hard to follow at times.
Still, the story wrapped up nicely, and I’d be open to reading more from this author in the future.
September 18, 2024
Knives Out x Witches, I’m sold! This YA witchy murder mystery was such a great read! Two non-witches locked in a manor full of witches as a murder occurs, this premise couldn’t intrigue me more. This was well executed though I did find the pacing slowed down in the second half but not enough to lose any of my interest. That ending was just awesome as well! If you like locked room mysteries, murderous dinner parties, witches, and found family pick this one up!
Publishing 9/17/24
Thank you so much to Tor/Forge and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Publishing 9/17/24
Thank you so much to Tor/Forge and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
September 5, 2025
Not perfect, but it will be an interesting one to discuss at book club! I liked parts, but then other bits would frustrate me and leave me wanting more.
August 17, 2024
I have received an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book through the publisher. This has not affected my rating in any way.
RTC
Pre-Reading Updates: i luv randomly receiving arcs in the mail with no prior warning, makes me feel so speshul <3
RTC
Pre-Reading Updates: i luv randomly receiving arcs in the mail with no prior warning, makes me feel so speshul <3
September 10, 2024
Thank you to Tor for the advance reader copy!
This is not my usual type of book, but I loved it. The characters were all wonderful, and I enjoyed the slow reveal of their motivations as the stakes got higher the further the book went on (and the less time they had). The red herrings were placed well and had me second- and third-guessing what I thought was going to be the ending.
I’m still uncertain of what exactly the Celestial Line is capable of, but the other magics were well-thought out with some devastating abilities.
I also enjoyed the slow building of the relationship between Ruby and Auden. The unsavory past between Livinia and Auden was mention many times but we never got to see too much of it aside from the last time they were together as children. Ruby coming into the situation unaware of the truth in her role could have made for an even more engaging plot line if she hadn’t been accepted so readily, but I understand that with everything going on in the bigger story that some things needed to be abbreviated.
The Lies We Conjure is a jam-packed, but not overwhelming, murder mystery with an interesting cast of characters that is perfect for Autumn reading.
This is not my usual type of book, but I loved it. The characters were all wonderful, and I enjoyed the slow reveal of their motivations as the stakes got higher the further the book went on (and the less time they had). The red herrings were placed well and had me second- and third-guessing what I thought was going to be the ending.
I’m still uncertain of what exactly the Celestial Line is capable of, but the other magics were well-thought out with some devastating abilities.
I also enjoyed the slow building of the relationship between Ruby and Auden. The unsavory past between Livinia and Auden was mention many times but we never got to see too much of it aside from the last time they were together as children. Ruby coming into the situation unaware of the truth in her role could have made for an even more engaging plot line if she hadn’t been accepted so readily, but I understand that with everything going on in the bigger story that some things needed to be abbreviated.
The Lies We Conjure is a jam-packed, but not overwhelming, murder mystery with an interesting cast of characters that is perfect for Autumn reading.
October 30, 2024
A fun murder mystery featuring witches, imposters, and a deadline to solve everything or be trapped forever.
I had a good time reading this. The alternate points of view were cool, because we saw things from both an outsider's perspective and from someone with magic who knew the history of the families. There were also some twists I didn't expect and watching Ruby and Wren struggle to stay in character while people kept dropping dead kept my anxiety going.
The reveal at the end wasn't much of a surprise unfortunately, but I kind of think it wasn't supposed to be and it was more about the journey there. I did hope things would go in another direction, but it was still a nice read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Tor Teen and NetGalley for the copy.
I had a good time reading this. The alternate points of view were cool, because we saw things from both an outsider's perspective and from someone with magic who knew the history of the families. There were also some twists I didn't expect and watching Ruby and Wren struggle to stay in character while people kept dropping dead kept my anxiety going.
The reveal at the end wasn't much of a surprise unfortunately, but I kind of think it wasn't supposed to be and it was more about the journey there. I did hope things would go in another direction, but it was still a nice read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Tor Teen and NetGalley for the copy.
October 7, 2024
2.5 stars
Another case of “this book had so much potential but it was wasted away”
This book lacked compelling details and magic. For heavens sake, this is a witch book. Where is the magic and fantasy. I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters. Lastly, the book tried to create a romance story out of thin air.
So much potential. Sigh.
Another case of “this book had so much potential but it was wasted away”
This book lacked compelling details and magic. For heavens sake, this is a witch book. Where is the magic and fantasy. I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters. Lastly, the book tried to create a romance story out of thin air.
So much potential. Sigh.
June 22, 2024
Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games with magic in this standalone supernatural thriller by Sarah Henning: thirteen witches, a locked-room murder, and two non-magical sisters trapped in a deadly whodunit.
If it’s possible to feel in love with a book,
then that is how I am feeling right now
Thirteen witches and two non-magical sisters caught up in the middle. A large ancestral Manor with a vast estate. A fascinating plot that moved quickly and in unexpected ways. Magic and a bewitching magical system. A locked-room type mystery. Secrets, lies, riddles, a quest…and the clock is ticking.
Publication date: September 17, 2024
Tor Publishing Group
#secrets #murder #mystery #lockedroomystery
#Magic #Witches #arc #netgalley #thriller#Torpublishinggroup #TorTeen #Teens #YA #theliesweconjure #macmillan #SarahHenning #supernatural #whodunit
#Brightbookreviews #bookstagram #Instagram #facebook
If it’s possible to feel in love with a book,
then that is how I am feeling right now
Thirteen witches and two non-magical sisters caught up in the middle. A large ancestral Manor with a vast estate. A fascinating plot that moved quickly and in unexpected ways. Magic and a bewitching magical system. A locked-room type mystery. Secrets, lies, riddles, a quest…and the clock is ticking.
Publication date: September 17, 2024
Tor Publishing Group
#secrets #murder #mystery #lockedroomystery
#Magic #Witches #arc #netgalley #thriller#Torpublishinggroup #TorTeen #Teens #YA #theliesweconjure #macmillan #SarahHenning #supernatural #whodunit
#Brightbookreviews #bookstagram #Instagram #facebook
August 14, 2025
This was a totally solid magical murder mystery!
I picked this up just based off of the tag line and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed both of our POV characters and learning about them and their families as we went through the book. The world building was interesting but not overwhelming, just the right amount for a YA novel. I'd expect a bit more backstory in an adult novel but for YA, it fit.
There were some moments throughout that felt a bit slow and that's what really kept this from being a five star but honestly, this was really good. I liked trying to solve the murder mystery aspect. I liked learning about the different magical family lines. And I love the way things ended. A great read.
I picked this up just based off of the tag line and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed both of our POV characters and learning about them and their families as we went through the book. The world building was interesting but not overwhelming, just the right amount for a YA novel. I'd expect a bit more backstory in an adult novel but for YA, it fit.
There were some moments throughout that felt a bit slow and that's what really kept this from being a five star but honestly, this was really good. I liked trying to solve the murder mystery aspect. I liked learning about the different magical family lines. And I love the way things ended. A great read.
July 6, 2024
thanks to NetGalley for the eARC
⭐️=4 | 😘=2.5 | 🤬=3 | ⚔️=4.5 | 14+
summary: two sisters are asked by a mysterious old lady to pretend to be her long lost granddaughters for a few hours at a party; a murder, a disappearance, and the sisters are stuck pretending to be someone they’re not in the midst of a magical murder mystery
thoughts: really, really loved the first 75% of this!—complicated family drama, secret identities, locked room mystery, witches, all good things! I’m not totally sold on the ending; it was a little tropey in a way that didn’t fit with the clever genre-bending vibes of the first part of the book, but overall this was pretty great. yes. 🙂↕️
⭐️=4 | 😘=2.5 | 🤬=3 | ⚔️=4.5 | 14+
summary: two sisters are asked by a mysterious old lady to pretend to be her long lost granddaughters for a few hours at a party; a murder, a disappearance, and the sisters are stuck pretending to be someone they’re not in the midst of a magical murder mystery
thoughts: really, really loved the first 75% of this!—complicated family drama, secret identities, locked room mystery, witches, all good things! I’m not totally sold on the ending; it was a little tropey in a way that didn’t fit with the clever genre-bending vibes of the first part of the book, but overall this was pretty great. yes. 🙂↕️
September 5, 2024
“It’s a party, not a funeral.”…yet. 💀
(4.5 stars)
The Lies We Conjure is a fantastic paranormal high-stakes whodunnit, reminiscent of Knives Out + Inheritance Games with the classic privileged family stature meeting ruthless dysfunction (imagine handsome sweater guy’s character with magic? Big Yikes).
When financially struggling sisters, Ruby and Wren, are approached by an eccentric old lady and asked to impersonate her granddaughters at an annual family dinner for an easy $4,000, what could possibly go wrong?
Oh maybe it’s secretly a gathering of the most powerful witch families in all of North America? And someone has just decided to murder the matriarch during dinner? And now the whole estate is spellbound locked down until the murder is solved and some witchy relics are found? And if it takes longer than three days they will be trapped forever? No big deal…
Thirteen witches. Two non-magical sisters. A deadly whodunnit. Will Ruby and Wren make it out alive?
This was an absolute perfect start to Spooky Season.🖤
Thank you Tor Publishing Group, Sarah Henning, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy in exchange for a honest review. The Lies We Conjure comes out on September 17th.
(4.5 stars)
The Lies We Conjure is a fantastic paranormal high-stakes whodunnit, reminiscent of Knives Out + Inheritance Games with the classic privileged family stature meeting ruthless dysfunction (imagine handsome sweater guy’s character with magic? Big Yikes).
When financially struggling sisters, Ruby and Wren, are approached by an eccentric old lady and asked to impersonate her granddaughters at an annual family dinner for an easy $4,000, what could possibly go wrong?
Oh maybe it’s secretly a gathering of the most powerful witch families in all of North America? And someone has just decided to murder the matriarch during dinner? And now the whole estate is spellbound locked down until the murder is solved and some witchy relics are found? And if it takes longer than three days they will be trapped forever? No big deal…
Thirteen witches. Two non-magical sisters. A deadly whodunnit. Will Ruby and Wren make it out alive?
This was an absolute perfect start to Spooky Season.🖤
Thank you Tor Publishing Group, Sarah Henning, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy in exchange for a honest review. The Lies We Conjure comes out on September 17th.
September 23, 2025
3.5⭐️, but leaning more towards a 4.
Ok. Hear me out. This is not by any means a technically complex book. That being said, boy was it fun! Felt like watching a cheesy murder mystery movie but with magic. My only complaint is that it felt a little long - but maybe that’s just because I did the audiobook and it took me a long time to get listening time in.
Ok. Hear me out. This is not by any means a technically complex book. That being said, boy was it fun! Felt like watching a cheesy murder mystery movie but with magic. My only complaint is that it felt a little long - but maybe that’s just because I did the audiobook and it took me a long time to get listening time in.
December 30, 2024
This was recommended by a friend and the magic systems and mystery at the heart of everything was a lot of fun. It took a little while to get going but enjoyed it overall!
July 14, 2025
Thank you Tor for the ebook.
Dnf at 52%
Listened at 1.5 - 1.8 speed.
The narrators were alright. I had no problems with anything.
The storyline was quite dull for me. It should have felt like a high stakes kinda thing, but it never felt like there was a tense moment.
I couldn't get into it because it didn't feel like things were progressing too much either.
Dnf at 52%
Listened at 1.5 - 1.8 speed.
The narrators were alright. I had no problems with anything.
The storyline was quite dull for me. It should have felt like a high stakes kinda thing, but it never felt like there was a tense moment.
I couldn't get into it because it didn't feel like things were progressing too much either.
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